Comments

Comment by Veotrak

This looks to be the tanking meta gem in WotLK, bar none. I'm surprised nobody else has commented on it yet

Comment by Azulinde

Since dmg reduction from difference sources multiplies, a warr tank with defensive stance and imp defensive stance will gain an additional spell dmg reduction of 1,7% compared to the base spell dmg received

Comment by MrAlaska

The one that gives you defense as well as 5% extra SBV, which, with the changes to shield block value is going to be much more awesome than it was Pre-Wrath I think.

Comment by gibbermagash

I wonder if this could be used as an added bit of versatility to a melee class in the arena.

Comment by JaxOmen

To me this meta just screams "mage tank"...

Comment by ninta

does anyone know if this gem stacks with the 5% (15% with patch 3.0.8) spelldamage reduction from frost pressence for deathknights?

Comment by Ilidar

Well, remember, you aren't always limited to one meta per character.

When I saw this gem, the first thing that I thought was "resist gear"

So if you happen to have a resist set that has a meta slot, this would be pretty good

Comment by lazarian77

the +2% armor gem isnt going to be near a 2% reduction in physical damage whereas this is a flat 2% damage redux from magic, id think this one would be the better option especially later on as armor value continue to climb close to cap. Deathknights and druids would benefit far more from this due to their spiraling armor values being added in 3.0.8

Comment by Butterbean

I think this may be more for protection/frost pvp, but it does have uses for raiding. In pvp 2% added to deathknight frost spec resistances would make them nearly unstoppable by casters, and being able to block/dodge/parry physical damage is great and all, but a mage/lock/spriest will still be able to blast you as a warrior without spell damage resistance.

Nice gem, has potential to be very useful.

Comment by LorienGL

This is quite clearly a situational meta.

As good tanks do, have a helm with the +2% armor and another one with -2% spell damage taken, and switch from one to the other depending which boss u are facing. If you dont know which one to bear, use recount and go battle the boss, after the battle in the damage taken section see which helm will benefit you more depending on the spell damage taken and the physical damage taken. Do your calculations to see which one mitigates more in that encounter.

For trash i will use the +2% armor generally.

The 21 def +5% SBV meta is a great one, but its situational too. I will recommend to socket that one in your aggro generation gear or to aoe grind.

So as conclusion i think 32stam and +2% armor in most situations it performs a bit better, and the other 2 are more situational. There doesn't exist the "best meta" concept, because all 3 are good ones, but it depends a lot of your style of tanking and your preferences in gear. So pick the one you like most and goes better with your gear. So if you like to stack a lot of SBV, pick the SBV one, if you love to have huge armor, pick the 2% armor, if you are an stamina maniac pick one of the 2 with 32 stamina, if you dont have the def cap, pick the 21 def one, if you love spell damage reduction and u have the right talents, pick the spelldmg reduction and if you like to balance everything pick the one that fits beer with your gear.

Thas just my opinion, theorycraft of the benefit of each can be found in many places, and there is no clear winner in that field ;)

Hope it helps!

Comment by Abrin

There have been strange results with this lately suggesting a change to +2% resistance as found on EJ .If this is the case then the gem would be nerfed compare to -2% magic damage taken in almost ALL situations.The closest to resistance cap case means only +8 resistance(400 x 1.02 = 408) since any other amounts above 8 would be rounded down.

Comment by big0mac

Ulduar seems to have more (overall) spell damage about than previous raids.. Call me nuts I guess, but as a holy priest healing 10/25 Ulduar I use this gem, combined with using 5 talent points in Spell Warding (Holy tree) for another 10% spell damage reduction..

(To get the 5 points not normally taken, I don't talent for a half second faster speed using Greater Heal... I almost always use flash heal these days anyway instead since it's fast comparably..)

Comment by wrathicus

My question for this specific gem is "Would it work for Sindragosa's breath attacks?" I am getting ready for the quest and if this took off 2% of her 50k, that would be a nice chunk. I don't understand what is classified under Spell Damage for bosses though, Anything that isn't a melee swing?

Comment by Glahmgold

Just throwing it out there since it hasnt been suggested yet. But use it in combination with 3/3 Frozen Core on a mage PVP spec for some additional survival against dots and spells that stacks with your damage reduction from resilience.